Canon announces Japan-only special-edition PowerShot S120 and G16

Canon has announced special edition versions of its PowerShot G16 and S120 digital compact cameras. The 'premium' versions appear to be intended for the Japanese domestic market, and will be available in different color finishes, with a custom engraving option. Color customization appears to comprise the option of red, gold, silver and black finished on select components and both cameras are supplied with unique accessories - a cowhide leather pouch for the S120 and a leather hard case for the G16.

The limited-edition PowerShot S120 comes with a leather pouch, and the option of four different color accents for various components (including exposure mode dial and lens control ring). It will cost 54,980 Yen (~$560).

The premium PowerShot G16 comes with a leather hard case, and will cost 69,980 Yen (~$710) when it becomes available at the end of this month. Both cameras can be custom engraved.

The limited edition G16 will cost 69,980 Yen (~$710) and the S120 will be available for 54,980 Yen (~$560) and pre-orders start at the end of this month.

No, sir. It's not the hatred for the camera's. It's about the technological wall we've all just hit, and a manufactures reluctance to take the next logical step.

You see. While it's easy for one to find plenty of reason for the decline in professional work. Why is it so difficult to fathom that the demand, or rather the justification of consumer vs. professional equipment continue to exist?

My first pro DSLR cost me $7000, then replaced by something for $3200, and then $1800. All were improvements at nearly half the cost of the other.

Cameras, like photography itself, have always been been a combination of technology with artistry. Early glass plate cameras were made for the well-to-do and are beautiful wood, leather and brass objects, showing human desire for beauty.

The history of photography has always been about aesthetics as well as documentation.

Have to agree. An idle engineering and design team is expensive, working or not (minus materials). Any realistic step forward in compacts will both venture into and risk sales of considerable higher priced professional models. I have another twenty years of shooting in me, and I won't have to wait through all of them before seeing a major shift in what goes into the bag.

man, these two cameras are so beautiful that if there is absolutely nothing around to photograph, you can hold them up in front of a mirror, snap a few my-cam-so-pretty selfies and share your joy with your fb fans, make sure the strap, box and case are in the picture

LOL, I guess Canon should have a lifetime warranty for that S120 collection when it has that Lens Error. My S95 has already developed this issue by its own twice despite I never drop and abuse the camera.

This is a Japanese company. It would be the Commodore Perry Edition and would force you to sign an agreement with Canon promising an opening of your house for trade and coaling of their ships when in the area.

What a waste. Canon has become virtually irrelevant and their decision not to announce even a single new product this holiday season firmly cements them in last place among camera makers. It's only a matter of time until they spin off their imaging division and sell it to Sony or something.

Now if South Korea can offer a Korea-specific Octo-core Samsung S4 which is clocked faster than any of the other international versions, then why cant Japan release a special edition G16 and S120 with a 1 inch sensor. Now wouldn't that be a great revival for Canon's premium compact camera line. With Canon's top notch IS, fast AF, and solid handling I'll be lining up in the streets of Tokyo for sure if it was the case.

Nice inclusion of the TC there for the G16. And not even a limited edition, apparently. After seeing the silver Pentax K-3, I was hoping to see the leather neck-strap in an unlimited edition. If it's true that Canon's offering is unlimited, then they clearly took the better route.